The 2012/13 winter tyre thread

[stargazer30]

Ok peeps I know I'm early but the days are growing shorter, average temps up here are 10Degrees and slowly falling towards the 7Degree threshold when your summer rubber stops working so well.  So its time to start considering this stuff if you need to drive your MR2 in all weathers.  Remember winter tyres are a bugger to get for the MR2 and sell out before winter usually!

In my case my spare set of knackered pre-facelift wheels with Kumho winters on them have gone off to SEM today for a refurb ready to go on the 2 when the weather finally goes all dark wet and cold.

Even if you don't need/care about winter rubber this thread serves as a drive safe reminder for all MR2 owners as the winter cold draws in so we can hopefully avoid the peak of "OMG I binned my MR2" threads we see each winter.   s:cry: :cry: s:cry:

[AckersMR2]

the peak of "OMG I binned my MR2" threads we see each winter.   s:cry: :cry: s:cry:

and I'd thought we'd had a lot of that in the summer!

[celmacmat]

Funnily enough I thought about this today. Looking for a second set of wheels first   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

[chris3boro]

I'd thought we'd had a lot of that in the summer!

The what??!!

[doogz]

I have a spare set of wheels, and I'd thought of getting some winter tyres for them, but I don't think I'm going to bother.

OP, you say they're a bugger to get, what's available in 'our' size? Nokian? Vredestein? What else?

Cheers

[Wabbitkilla]

Winter tyres are just too much trouble to get, just have tyres with a decent amount of tread on and drive according to the conditions!

[stargazer30]

OP, you say they're a bugger to get, what's available in 'our' size? Nokian? Vredestein? What else?

Cheers

The two probs are;
1. The MR2 has wider tyres rear vs front.  So getting winters in the correct stagger can be a problem.  
2. Facelift alloys, the larger rim size on the rear makes it even harder to get matched winter tyres.

So for folks looking for a 2nd set of winter alloys, I would go for pre-facelift ones where they are 16" all round.  I was able to get Kumhos in the correct stagger for a reasonable price (£300) last year on pre-facelift alloys.  Also generally pre-facelift alloys are much cheaper to get 2nd hand.  I only paid £50 for mine   s:D s:D  

On the plus side you get your money back in the long run given your tyres last longer as they do less miles per year per tyre   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

[AckersMR2]

Aren't pre facelifts 15" all round?

[stargazer30]

Aren't pre facelifts 15" all round?

yeah I'm tired, the facelifts are 16" rear, 15" front.  My bad, but the same still applies.

[doogz]

OP, you say they're a bugger to get, what's available in 'our' size? Nokian? Vredestein? What else?

Cheers

The two probs are;
1. The MR2 has wider tyres rear vs front.  So getting winters in the correct stagger can be a problem.  
2. Facelift alloys, the larger rim size on the rear makes it even harder to get matched winter tyres.

So for folks looking for a 2nd set of winter alloys, I would go for pre-facelift ones where they are 16" all round.  I was able to get Kumhos in the correct stagger for a reasonable price (£300) last year on pre-facelift alloys.  Also generally pre-facelift alloys are much cheaper to get 2nd hand.  I only paid £50 for mine   s:D s:D  

On the plus side you get your money back in the long run given your tyres last longer as they do less miles per year per tyre   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Yeah I'm aware of the sizes, just wondered what was available?

Like I said, probably won't bother, but I would recommend them.

[frogger]

Winter tyres are just too much trouble to get, just have tyres with a decent amount of tread on and drive according to the conditions!

This really should be enough in an MR2 in winter. And if it gets to snow and you're going properly off the beaten path then RWD, whilst hilarious, is not the way forward.

[kentsmudger]

I have a spare set of wheels, and I'd thought of getting some winter tyres for them, but I don't think I'm going to bother.

OP, you say they're a bugger to get, what's available in 'our' size? Nokian? Vredestein? What else?

Cheers

Assuming pre-facelift - 2 x Fronts and 2 x rear Kumho KW23 will cost you around £230 at the moment (cheaper than last year) - I have them and can highly recommend them - They are not snow tyres, they are winter tyres, excellent from November to March in any of the following conditions - Cold, wet, rainy, greasy, frosty icy, snowy or even wet autumn leaves and tractor droppings.

Absolutely worth getting if you want to use the car in Winter - While they are on the car, the Summer set are not wearing either so the only real cost is fitting them. Kentsmudger Recommended!

[DannyN]

I've got winter tyres for the family car (Altea) and the difference is quite staggering once the weather gets inclement. Definitely say it's worth the hassle to track a set down if you can.  It's not just about 'driving to conditions' as people post sometimes it's about getting out of the way of the idiot or stopping because of them!

[AckersMR2]

Down here we don't really have to worry too much about winter, I think last winter I had a light frost on the car twice and if in the unlikely event it does snow its usually gone by 9am. It wouldn't surprise me if the weather this winter will be better than the summer we've just had, spring certainly was? (I've probably jinxed it now  s:flame: :flame: s:flame:  )

[doogz]

Down here we don't really have to worry too much about winter, I think last winter I had a light frost on the car twice and if in the unlikely event it does snow its usually gone by 9am. It wouldn't surprise me if the weather this winter will be better than the summer we've just had, spring certainly was? (I've probably jinxed it now  s:flame: :flame: s:flame:  )

Suppose the regional differences can be quite significant.

My windscreen was frozen this morning, and I'm not any further north than Glasgow. We're expecting BIG snow again this winter.

[stargazer30]

Assuming pre-facelift - 2 x Fronts and 2 x rear Kumho KW23 will cost you around £230 at the moment (cheaper than last year) - I have them and can highly recommend them - They are not snow tyres, they are winter tyres, excellent from November to March in any of the following conditions - Cold, wet, rainy, greasy, frosty icy, snowy or even wet autumn leaves and tractor droppings.

Absolutely worth getting if you want to use the car in Winter - While they are on the car, the Summer set are not wearing either so the only real cost is fitting them. Kentsmudger Recommended!

Yes this is what I've got too and echo those comments.   We are dealing with a car that likes to kick its arse end out when it looses grip and once it does its not very easy to correct.  Summer tyres loose grip as temps go below 7Degrees so for people like me having to drive early morning in the cold/wet on the A19, snow or no snow once it gets cold, on they go.

[carolineasb]

Snap Doogz, freezing here to the West of Glasgow!!  The trouble with having 2 sets of tyres is that many people do not have the storage space for them.  My 2 will likely be hibernating soon in the Garage once I clear out the Garage, that is!

[dcod]

Down here we don't really have to worry too much about winter, I think last winter I had a light frost on the car twice and if in the unlikely event it does snow its usually gone by 9am.

Have you forgotten the two winters we had before last winter? Does -8 ring a bell?

Bournemouth, Clifftop 2010/11

[RichieK]

I'm fitting winter tyres to my MR2 this winter.

Last winter I had an Impreza - I fitted Toyo Snow Prox all round, the improvement in cold/wet/frosty/snowy conditions was epic!

I have to drive a lot of untreated back roads so I need as much grip as I can get.

[doogz]

Snap Doogz, freezing here to the West of Glasgow!!  The trouble with having 2 sets of tyres is that many people do not have the storage space for them.  My 2 will likely be hibernating soon in the Garage once I clear out the Garage, that is!

I'm from Elderslie originally, you can't be far away from there!

I'm fitting winter tyres to my MR2 this winter.

Last winter I had an Impreza - I fitted Toyo Snow Prox all round, the improvement in cold/wet/frosty/snowy conditions was epic!

I have to drive a lot of untreated back roads so I need as much grip as I can get.

Forrestburn fun day this Sunday, you going along?

[RichieK]

Forrestburn fun day this Sunday, you going along?

Hey mate  s:) s:)

Possibly... I've got a wedding reception on Sat night so may be on poor form  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  If I'm not feeling too rough I'll probably be there   s:D s:D

[doogz]

I'll maybe see you there then. I've got some welding to get done but I'll hopefully be along for an hour or so.

[AckersMR2]

Bournemouth, Clifftop 2010/11

Pah, that was all gone by lunchtime  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

[carolineasb]

dcod, I've never seen Bournemouth like that!!!  Always been glorious weather when I've been there!

Doogz, yes indeed, I'm just outside Johnstone going towards Bridge of Weir but originally a Paisley Buddie!  One of my friends lives in Elderslie.

RichieK, that's funny my Cousin, Jack, is getting married in Edinburgh on Saturday!  It would be really spooky if that's where you are going lol!!

[RichieK]

RichieK, that's funny my Cousin, Jack, is getting married in Edinburgh on Saturday!  It would be really spooky if that's where you are going lol!!

 s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  that would have been!

It's one of my GF's friends... James.


Here's my old tyres incase anyone might be interested...